Maldives Wave: Approach lights

Southern atolls

Huvadhoo Seenu Approach lights

Approach lights

There is an airport runway on the beach in front of this spot, with approach lights that not only help guide airplanes to a safe landing, but also orient surfers in the water on where to be in order to catch the most surfable section of this long and exposed righthander. Although it breaks down along the live coral reef, the runway approach lights really mark the best place to drop-in and snag the more rideable end section.

Approach Lights’ location on the southern tip of Addu Atoll exposes it to potentially harsh southern winds, but also opens it up to receive the full force of the summer’s southern swells—fortunate for a place that craves size. Since any wind with a northerly direction ends up being offshore, this is a great spot to visit later in the season when the northerly winds meet some of the best southern swells.

Typically ranging from two to ten feet, Approach Lights gets pretty intense at anything over head, as the outside sets start to throw harder and faster with the increased volume. It is always best and safest at high tides, especially during a big swell when you want as much cushion between you and the shallow reef as possible. Walking to this spot from Equator Village and paddling across the wide lagoon is an option, but it is a long trek and not nearly as safe as using a dhoni or surf charter, which can dump you straight into the lineup and save you much needed energy.

You can return to the main page for the Northern, Central, or Southern Atolls by clicking the buttons on the right. Or you can navigate to any of the breaks within the Southern Atoll region by clicking on the break name below. If you have any questions regarding regions and waves, what is included on the surf trip, or any other questions regarding the maldives surfing experience, please visit our FAQ page or contact us.

  • Right Direction
  • NW Direction Best Wind
  • A Advanced Skill Level
  • SW - SE Best Swell
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Breaks

Below are the different surf breaks in each Atoll regions

Break name Left / Right Best wind Ability level Best swell Five star rating  
Tiger Stripes Left NW Medium SW - SE

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Antiques Right NW Beginner SW - SE

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Love Charms Left E Advanced SW

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Two ways Left N Medium SW - SE

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Five Islands Right W Advanced SW - SE

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Blue Bowls Right SW Medium SW - SE

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Beacons Right N - NW Professional SW

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Kottey Right S - SE Advanced SW

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Air Equator Lefts Left NW Medium SW - SE

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Kanda Muli Left NW Medium SW - SE

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Shangri-la Right NE Medium E - SE

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Madihera Left NE Medium SW - SE

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Approach lights Right NW Advanced SW - SE

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Viligili Right W Intermediate S - SE

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